Disney Cruise Line is set to sail to Belfast in 2019

Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Rapunzel and a host of other Disney stars – plus 3,650 passengers and crew – will be docking in Belfast Harbour in autumn 2019 as Disney Cruise Lines have confirmed they will visit for the first time.

The luxury liner, ‘Disney Magic’ is painted in Mickey Mouse-inspired colours – black hull, white superstructure, yellow trim and two giant red funnels – and is visiting Belfast as part of a seven-night British Isles cruise.

The ship, whose horn plays the first seven notes of ‘When you Wish Upon a Star’, will dock in Belfast Harbour for one day in September 2019. It is said that Disney ships are unique because they’re the only ships in the world to have four captains, the ship’s Captain, Captain Mickey, Captain Hook and Captain Jack Sparrow.

Disney Cruise Line is offering passengers who are visiting the region, the chance to “explore the stunning Giant’s Causeway, one of the most impressive natural wonders in the United Kingdom, and enjoy breathtaking vistas along the Antrim Coast, including the dramatic cliff-side ruins of the medieval Dunluce Castle”.

The passengers, who will come from all over the world, are also being advised that Belfast is, “the bustling capital of Northern Ireland”, blending “the best of art, music and entertainment with gorgeous vistas and fascinating historical sites”.

Tony McAuley, Belfast Harbour, said:

“Bringing Disney Cruise Lines to Belfast is the result of more than a year’s work with Excursions Ireland and Hamilton Shipping.

This working relationship ensured that the logistics, facilities and on-shore excursions met the high standard expected by Disney Cruises, and evidence of the working relationship gave them confidence in our ability to deliver.

We continue to be committed to bringing cruise ships and tourists to Northern Ireland, and adding Disney Cruise Lines to the global brands which already call in Belfast is a testament to the tourism offer and the facilities we have in Belfast Harbour.

The announcement by Disney Cruise Line that they are including Belfast for the first time on their itinerary is another massive boost for the city. You could say that since 1996, when the first two cruise ships visited Belfast, the sector has gone ‘To infinity and beyond!’”

Niamh McCarthy, Excursions Ireland said: “The quality of the tourism offer available in Belfast is well documented and fits well with the Disney Cruise Lines ethos of family friendly days and shore activities. Disney Cruises had a tremendously successful visit to Dublin in 2016 and 2017 and we have no doubt this landmark visit will be equally popular with their passengers.”

Leo McParland, Hamilton Shipping said: “We have worked with Disney Cruise Lines in recent years, particularly on their inaugural call to Dublin, and knew that Belfast was a great option for them on the island with excellent port facilities and infrastructure to meet the requirements of such a vessel.”

Guests onboard the 11-deck Disney Magic can enjoy Disney inspired live shows in the Walt Disney Theatre, open-air music and dance extravaganza deck parties, and, new this year, Rapunzel’s Royal Table, a restaurant inspired by the Disney hit animation.

There’s also a ’Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique’ which offers passengers head-to-toe makeovers for budding young princesses, pirates and knights. For older guests there are a range of fine-dining restaurants and an adults-only lounge inspired by the famed piano bars of Hollywood’s heyday.

Last week Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast announced that 2018 will be a record cruise season with over 200,000 passengers visiting the city. Both organizations continue to work to bring cruise calls to the City and grow the popularity of Belfast as a destination.